Norwich City kicked off 2016 in perfect style by moving up to 14th in the Premier League table with an impressive 1-0 win over Southampton. A goal in the final quarter of the game, from a very unlikely source in Alex Tettey, meant the Saints were marching home empty handed. And while it may not be first on Match of the Day, few in Norfolk will care as Norwich move just one place and one point behind their opposition today.
Unsurprisingly, Alex Neil didn’t want to make major changes to a team that won in convincing fashion in their last outing against Villa, with Gary O’Neil for Graham Dorrans being the only change. This proved to be just one of the many tactical decisions the Scottish manager got spot on.
The match started in a manner that matched the weather, dull. There were few chances at either end, in a game that proved to be largely battled in the midfield with two defences on top of their game. The visitors, despite a lack of venom in their attack, still showed their Premier League experience by having the majority of possession.
It had been revealed that the Saint’s current main striker, Sadio Mane, had been dropped to the bench after being “too late in the (team) meeting” according to manager Ronald Koeman. Hosts Norwich would’ve been grateful for Mane’s tardiness, as Southampton posed little attacking threat in the first half. Norwich’s only clear-cut chance of the half was squandered by Howson, with the ball not quite falling right to get a good connection.
Half Time: Norwich 0-0 Southampton
The second half followed a similar tone, with the two sides largely cancelling each other out. They say goals change games, but today it was a red card that swung proceedings in favour of the home side. Victor Wanyama was rightly sent off for a second yellow card after two very poor tackles, both of which could be seen as straight reds in their own right.
Before the away team could fully reorganise, impact sub Vadis charged down the right flank and played a lovely pass across the Saint’s box to midfield counterpart Alex Tettey. The Norway international, who had found Row Z with his previous effort, beautifully side-footed the ball into the top left corner.
What was equally as impressive as the goal was the professional manner in which Norwich saw out the win. Neil wisely replaced Mbokani with Jerome and Hoolahan with Olsson, with Brady being pushed up into midfield. The away fans, who were admittedly in fine voice for their trip to Norfolk, had little to get excited about in the closing stages.
Norwich end the hectic festive period in 14th position, and with confidence at a season high with Manchester City next up at Carrow Road. With a faltering title challenge and a League Cup semi final just three days prior against Everton, it’s likely few of Pellegrini’s superstars will feature. With the right business in the January transfer window, City can hopefully start to look up the table rather than down it.
Attendance: 27’022
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
